Dolphins free agents

The Miami Dolphins must decide which of their own players they would like to keep during the free agency period.

OT Jake Long – Three years ago Long was the top left tackle in the NFL. But the first overall pick in the 2008 draft has spent the past few seasons battling knee, shoulder, back and arm injuries, which hints Long, who turns 28 in May, might become the next Tony Boselli?

CB Sean Smith – There's a short list of bigger and more athletic press cornerbacks in the NFL than this four-year starter. But there's a long list of NFL cornerbacks who have been more consistent than Smith, who has registered just five interceptions and 40 pass deflections.

RB Reggie Bush – Bush rushed for 2,072 yards and scored 15 touchdowns in his two seasons as the Dolphins' featured tailback. But this 28-year-old is more valuable as a gimmick player and the Dolphins are ready to get younger (Lamar Miller) and cheaper at the position.

WR Brian Hartline – Last year Hartline became the eighth receiver in Dolphins history to catch more than 1,000 yards worth of passes in a season. But what happens when he's no longer Ryan Tannehill's favorite target? Hartline has scored just seven touchdowns in his four seasons in Miami.

TE Anthony Fasano – Fasano has caught 177 passes and scored 23 touchdowns during his five-year tenure as the Dolphins' starting tight end. But Fasano, who turns 29 in April, no longer has the speed needed to consistently separate from linebackers.

FS Chris Clemons – Clemons had his most productive season as the Dolphins' starting free safety in 2012, contributing 98 tackles and two interceptions. But his lack of instincts prevents this 27-year-old from becoming the type of ball hawk that creates turnovers.

QB Matt Moore – Moore has spent the past two seasons establishing himself as one of the NFL's top backup quarterbacks, producing an impressive 91.8 quarterbacks rating during his playing time with the Dolphins? He's shopping for an opportunity to compete for a starting job.

OT Nate Garner – Garner, a four-year veteran, filled in admirably as the Dolphins' starting right tackle for the season's final six games, allowing two sacks and 11 quarterback pressures. His ability to play every spot on the offensive line makes him a valuable reserve.

DT Tony McDaniel – A knee injury limited McDaniel's contributions (11 tackles and half a sack) in 2012, but this 28-year-old defensive tackle had spent the previous three seasons in Miami establishing himself as one of the team's top reserves.

K Nate Kaeding – Kaeding, an eight-year veteran, made eight of the 10 field goals he attempted for the Dolphins as Dan Carpenter's replacement. The Dolphins will likely add a younger kicker to compete with Carpenter in training camp.

FS Jonathan Amaya – Amaya, a restricted free agent, contributed eight tackles in his second stint with the Dolphins, where he mostly served as a special teams contributor.

WR Marlon Moore – Moore, a restricted free agent, has caught 12 passes for 244 yards and scored two touchdowns in his three seasons with the Dolphins. But so far this 25-year-old is more valuable on special teams than he is as a wide out.

TE Jeron Mastrud – Mastrud, a restricted free agent, has caught one pass in the 36 games he's played for the Dolphins the past three seasons.

LB Austin Spitler – Spitler, a seventh-round pick in 2010, has spent the past three seasons as a special teams contributor, tallying 19 tackles.

CB Bryan McCann – McCann, a restricted free agent, contributed 10 tackles and one sack in the eight games he played for the Dolphins, the fourth team he's been part of in three years.